Higher Diploma in International Economics

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in International Economics at the London School of International Business and Management (LSIBM) is a near-degree Level 5 qualification for senior trade economists preparing to top up into a UK Bachelor's degree in international economics while continuing to lead trade-policy work. Sitting inside the International Business & Trade faculty, it covers advanced trade modelling, exchange-rate policy, sovereign economics, FDI economics and applied research at Bachelor's-final-year depth.

The Higher Diploma runs over 15 to 18 months and is available on-campus in central London, fully online, or by distance learning. Tutors are practising senior trade economists drawn from Government Economic Service (GES) senior ranks and Society of Business Economists chartered members, and the capstone is an original applied research paper on a UK trade decision defended in front of a working senior economist. The sections below cover modules, audience and progression.

Key Features

• Curriculum reviewed against GES senior-economist reading and Bachelor's-final-year international economics standards.
• Applied focus — recent UK trade deals (CPTPP, UK-Australia, UK-EU TCA), Russia sanctions and CBAM.
• Three study modes — central London campus, fully online, or distance learning — with UK/APAC cohort calls.
• Capstone: an original applied research paper on a UK trade decision defended in front of a working senior economist.
• Confirmed credit transfer into the LSIBM BSc in International Economics top-up route.

What You Will Learn

The Higher Diploma builds a Bachelor's-ready trade economist. You will finish able to run a partial-equilibrium trade model, size a sanctions round, write to Green Book standard, and defend an applied research paper in front of a working senior economist.

• Advanced trade modelling — gravity, CGE at running level, partial equilibrium.
• Exchange-rate policy — Mundell-Fleming, currency crises, sterling analysis.
• Sovereign economics — debt sustainability, DSA, IMF Article IV reading.
• FDI economics — Dunning's OLI, real-option valuation, greenfield vs M&A.
• Sanctions economics — OFSI regime, third-country diversion, secondary sanctions.
• Border regimes — Border Target Operating Model, CBAM, rules of origin.
• Applied research — question, method, evidence, robustness.
• Writing to HM Treasury Green Book and Better Business Case standards.

Who This Course Is For

• Advanced Diploma trade economists preparing for a UK BSc top-up.
• Senior trade advisers at UK trade bodies, chambers and Whitehall departments.
• Sector economists at City banks and asset managers.
• Policy leads at UK exporters running structured trade-impact work.
• GES fast-streamers preparing for senior progression board.

Career Pathways

Higher Diploma graduates move into lead trade-economist roles, typically stepping through:

• Lead International Economist
• Trade Economist (senior)
• Sector Economist (senior, City)
• Policy Lead (trade)
• Head of Trade Advisory (small team)
• FDI Analyst (lead)

The Higher Diploma is a direct feeder into the LSIBM BSc in International Economics top-up, GES senior applications, and applied international economics MSc programmes.

Entry Requirements

• A relevant Advanced Diploma (Level 5), HND, HNC, or three years of substantive trade-economics experience — numeracy comfort is expected.
• GCSE English Language at grade 5/C and Mathematics at grade 4/C (or equivalent).
• IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers.
• A short statement of intent and two references (one academic or professional-body, one workplace) — applicants presenting SBE membership or GES fast-stream progress are particularly welcome.

Why Study at LSIBM

The London School of International Business and Management (LSIBM) is a specialist business-education provider based in central London and part of Harold International College. Higher Diploma cohorts sit at the near-degree tier — small groups, tutor visibility every week, curriculum reviewed against ACCA, CIMA, CIM, CIPD, CMI and IOE&IT competencies so graduates walk into a UK Bachelor's top-up with confirmed credit transfer.

London puts the City, Canary Wharf, Whitehall, Companies House, the FCA, the Bank of England and the West End within a short tube ride of every classroom. Higher Diploma students attend at least one working practitioner clinic per fortnight and complete a substantial capstone project defended in front of a working professional.

Apply for the Higher Diploma in International Economics

Move onto the top-up track with the Higher Diploma in International Economics. Click Enrol Now and our admissions team will respond within one working day with intake dates, credit-transfer guidance for UK Bachelor's top-up routes, and the current fee schedule. Higher Diploma graduates articulate into LSIBM's Bachelor's final year with confirmed credit transfer at enrolment.